Altoona, IA vs Creston, IA

The cost of living difference between Altoona, IA and Creston, IA is dramatic. Creston is 46.6% cheaper than Altoona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Altoona has a cost index of 90 while Creston sits at 61, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Altoona is $1,203/month compared to $672/month in Creston — a 79% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Creston is more affordable at $112,600 median vs $257,300.

Median household income in Altoona is $87,123 compared to $50,752 in Creston (+71.7%). While Altoona is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Altoona spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.9% in Creston.